Underground vole [1] ( lat. Microtus subterraneus ) is a numerous species of rodents of the genus Gray Voles .
| Underground vole |
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| Scientific classification |
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| No rank : | Bilateral symmetrical |
| Squadron : | Euarchontoglires |
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| International scientific name |
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Microtus subterraneus ( de Sélys-Longchamps , 1836) |
| Security status |
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Least ConcernedIUCN 3.1 Least Concern : 13489 |
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Content
It occupies a wide range of habitats, including deciduous and coniferous forests, meadows and pastures, and rocky areas in high mountains. It tolerates both dry and wet conditions and does not face known threats. It is found in protected areas throughout the range. The underground vole lives mainly in Europe, where it occupies the central regions from the Atlantic coast of France to the European part of Russia and the Balkan Peninsula. Isolated populations are located in Estonia and near St. Petersburg. Outside of Europe, the range extends into the western part of Asia Minor (Turkey). It is observed from 0 to 2300 m above sea level.
Body length 7.7-10.5 cm, tail 2.4-4.0 cm long. Animals weigh 13-23 g. The fur is soft and thick, the top is brownish-gray, the bottom is white.
Underground vole lives in colonies, leads both day and night life. Mating takes place from March or April to November. Pregnancy lasts approximately 21 days. 1–4 are born, on average 2–3 cubs. Newborns weigh about 2 g, their eyes open at the age of 11-12 days, at the age of about three weeks, young individuals become independent, and at the age of three months they are sexually mature. Life expectancy in captivity is not more than 34 months.
- ↑ Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia. "Mammals" Prince. 2 = The New Encyclopedia of Mammals / Ed. D. MacDonald . - M .: Omega, 2007 .-- S. 445. - 3000 copies. - ISBN 978-5-465-01346-8 .
- Amori, G., Hutterer, R., Yigit, N., Mitsain, G., Kryštufek, B., Vohralík, V., Zima, J. & Zagorodnyuk, I. 2008. Microtus subterraneus. In: IUCN 2012
- AJ Mitchell-Jones, G. Amori, W. Bogdanowicz, B. Krystufek, PJH Reijnders, F. Spitzenberger, M. Stubbe, JBM Thissen, V. Vohralik, J. Zima: The Atlas of European Mammals. Poyser, London, 1999: P. 250.
